Ben was already waiting for Weston in the office with a stack of documents in hand, ready to accompany
him to the meeting, when he was signalled to wait outside as Weston continued his phone call.
“I don‘t think this is up for discussion, Grandpa. If the Cohen family still insists, let them come straight to
me.”
“Weston,” Warren sighed. “I completely understand you. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn‘t agree to it
myself ... but regardless of everything that‘s happened, Guinevere is still Zack‘s mother. No matter how
much resentment you harbor for each other, we must never do anything that could sever our ties with the
Cohens, do you understand? Besides...”
Warren paused and turned to look at Stella before adding, “All the gossip and news of your scandals
have turned our family into a laughing stock. We‘ll have to maintain our reputation this time. We‘ll just let
Guinevere attend the wedding, that‘s all. We‘ll make sure that she stays in a secret corner that no
reporters would ever find.”
Weston fell silent for a long while. He stared at a spot on the wall, where a dull, throbbing pain nudged
his temples. He closed his eyes. He knew his grandfather very well. He knew that if he didn‘t agree with
him now, he would simply find other ways to get what he wanted. He might even drag Stella in...
That was the last thing Weston wanted to happen.
“Okay,” he replied after some consideration. “But you must keep her in a quiet corner. Stella must never
know that she‘s there.”
Stella clearly heard each and every word.
Warren turned to her and saw an “I knew this would happen” look written across her face.
Stella said nothing. Her face turned exceedingly pale and she clenched her fists, which had been resting
on her knees.
He agreed? He actually agreed to such an absurd request?!
Warren revelled in her reactions. He was satisfied now. This was just as he had planned.
He had always known that Stella never wanted to marry Weston in the first place, but he feared that she
might still hesitate to leave Weston‘s side completely.
What if she suddenly changed her mind and decided she wanted to be with him?
Warren would never let that happen. That was why he had to make Stella understand that Weston would
never completely give Guinevere up or refuse her requests.
He wanted her to realize that, although the marriage between Weston and Guinevere was now canceled,
the bond between them still existed, and Guinevere would forever be a part of Weston‘s life no matter
what.
Warren believed that being the smart woman she was, Stella understood that such a life would never
make her happy.
He had to extinguish even the slightest trace of feelings that Stella had for Weston.
“Is there anything else, Grandpa?”
Weston was completely unaware of the happenings at the other end of the line.
“No,” Warren replied, pleased that he got what he wanted. “You can go to your meeting now.”
The call then ended.
“Mr. Ford.” Ben walked into the office and handed Weston the day‘s schedule.
As Weston went through it, he told Ben, “Add Guinevere Cohen‘s name to the wedding guestlist.”
“What?” Ben was startled. He couldn‘t believe what he had just heard.
“She said she wants to attend the wedding,” explained Weston.” So I‘ll grant her wish.”
“But...” Ben was perplexed. Knowing about the turmoil brewing between Weston, Stella, and Guinevere,
wouldn‘t it be ridiculous for Guinevere to attend the wedding?
Then he thought of the phone call just now...
“Was it Mr. Warren‘s request?” Ben asked.
There could only be one explanation for this. Guinevere was probably so desperate that she forced her
parents to ask for Mr. Warren Ford‘s help as he was the only one who could pressure
Weston into doing something.
Weston made no reply, but his silence was clear enough for Ben to guess what was happening.
Ben sighed.
“But wouldn‘t this be unfair to Mrs. Ford?”
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